Learning programming can be rewarding, challenging, and fun, but also frustrating, overwhelming, and confusing. How do you know if you are making progress and improving your skills? How do you measure your success and identify your areas of improvement? In this article, we will explore some ways to track and evaluate your learning journey as a programmer.
One of the first steps to measure your progress is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your learning. SMART goals help you clarify what you want to learn, how you will learn it, and when you will achieve it. For example, instead of saying "I want to learn Python", you could say "I want to complete a Python course and build a web app with Flask in three months". SMART goals also help you break down your learning into smaller, manageable steps and track your milestones.
This is an amazing methodology you can definitively can apply to almost every task you want to achieve in your live. Here, several different examples, only one described due to character limitation, but you'll get the idea: - Learning Python for Web Development - Becoming Fluent in Spanish - Learning to Play the Piano - Mastering Data Visualization with Tableau Specific: Become proficient in data visualization using Tableau. Measurable: Complete two Tableau projects that involve at least four types of visualizations. Achievable: Spend 3 hours per week learning and working on projects. Relevant: This skill is required in my current job as a data analyst. Time-bound: Complete the two Tableau projects in 8 weeks.
Another way to measure your progress is to use online platforms that offer interactive learning, feedback, and assessment tools. For example, you can use platforms like Codecademy, Coursera, or Udemy to learn new concepts, practice coding exercises, and earn certificates or badges. You can also use platforms like HackerRank, Codewars, or LeetCode to test your skills, solve coding challenges, and compare your solutions with others. Online platforms can help you monitor your learning outcomes, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and discover new topics or resources.
Using online platforms like HackerRank, Codewars, or LeetCode is a good way to start tracking your progress at the beginning of your learning journey. In my opinion, programming is about more than just mastering a programming language; it's about developing problem-solving skills. To date, I haven't come across a tool that can accurately measure this skill. It's an ongoing practice, and there is no endpoint.
Personally I've used Udemy and Coursera a lot. Udemy has really good courses, from grasping the foundations to full bootcamps. But I find Coursera more professional likely, it has serious certifications from big companies like Google, access to Masters in first-class schools like Harvard, etc.
A third way to measure your progress is to build projects that showcase your skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Projects allow you to apply what you have learned, explore new ideas, and create something useful or fun. You can also use projects to demonstrate your portfolio, get feedback, and improve your code quality. For example, you can build a personal website, a game, a chatbot, or a data analysis tool. Building projects can help you measure your progress by seeing how far you have come, how much you have learned, and how much you can do.
I find side projects a way to test new technologies or apply that architecture that made more sense to you in your company project but you couldn't apply due to client's policies and specific requirements. It is also a good way to showcase your skills to potential clients if your are pursuing an entrepreneurship.
A fourth way to measure your progress is to join communities of other learners, programmers, or mentors. Communities can provide you with support, guidance, and inspiration for your learning journey. You can also use communities to share your work, ask questions, answer questions, and learn from others. For example, you can join online forums, blogs, podcasts, newsletters, or social media groups related to programming. You can also join offline events, meetups, hackathons, or workshops. Joining communities can help you measure your progress by getting feedback, recognition, and encouragement.
There is no way you can quickly grow without a community. Sharing knowledge, insights and teaching others are the best ways to grow as professionals. Learn how to give and receive feedback is an incredible useful soft skill you should definitely have in your toolset.
A fifth way to measure your progress is to reflect and review your learning process and outcomes. Reflection and review can help you evaluate your achievements, challenges, and learnings. You can also use reflection and review to celebrate your successes, appreciate your efforts, and acknowledge your mistakes. For example, you can keep a learning journal, write a blog post, make a video, or give a presentation. You can also use tools like GitHub, Trello, or Google Calendar to document your progress. Reflecting and reviewing can help you measure your progress by seeing how much you have grown, how much you have contributed, and how much you have enjoyed.
Reflecting and reviewing my programming journey has been an essential part of my progress. It's like having a roadmap with signposts showing where I've been and where I'm headed. I keep a digital journal, jotting down daily challenges, breakthroughs, and ideas. This helps me see how far I've come and motivates me during tough times. Sharing my experiences through blog posts has also been rewarding, as it not only helps me articulate my thoughts but also connects me with a like-minded community. These reflections are my checkpoints on the path to becoming a proficient programmer.
A sixth way to measure your progress is to experiment and learn new things. Experimentation and learning can help you expand your knowledge, skills, and interests. You can also use experimentation and learning to challenge yourself, overcome plateaus, and discover new opportunities. For example, you can try a new language, framework, or tool. You can also explore a new domain, industry, or problem. Experimenting and learning can help you measure your progress by seeing how much you can adapt, innovate, and excel.